Alice white



(No Model.)

A. WHITE.

BUSTLE. No. 383,421. Patented May 22, 1888.

Wzlw e55 es:

Alice Wife,

WM 7 1 B All In mentor:

NITED STATES PATENT Prion.

ALICE WHITE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO RICHARD S.MALLARY, OF SAME PLACE.

BUSTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,421, dated May22,1888.

Application filed Dccember 27,1887. Serial No. 259.021. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALICE WHITE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bustles, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inbustles; and theinvention consists in the peculiar construction andarrangement of the parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure 1 is aperspective view of my improved bustle as ready for use, and Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the wire frame de tached.

The bustle consists of an expansible balloonframe formed of spring'wirebent in a continuous series of loops or convolutions, a, which areexpansively re-enforced by the coils b in the angles of the loops,whereby the frame has an increased tendency to expand outwardly. Thistendency is restricted by means of the arched spring-braces c ctransversely connecting the top of the loops, and by means of theflexible straps d and f, the latter of which are provided with suitablebuckles to permit adjustment, and, further, by means of the cross-bucklestrap 9, all as shown in Fig. 1. A suitable belt, h, is secured to thefront cor- 11ers of the frame by means of the loops 2', or in any othersuitable manner.

The construction of my frame has the advantage thatit hasastrongtendency to expand outwardly, and will retain such tendency afterlong-continued usage. Further, the re-enforcing coilsbform veryconvenient and safe means for securing the straps thereto withoutliability of getting the parts entangled or caught, whereby the bustlemight be prevented from assuming its normal shape, to the mortificationof the wearer.

The arched braces c c on the top of the frame 5 cross-buckle strap 9permits of readily adj usting the base of the bustle to any desiredsize, and at the same time support the weight of the bustle and dressupon the body of the wearer, thereby preventing the wires from hearingdisagreeably against the body. However, if desired, such parts of thebase of the frame or wire which may be liable to come in contact withthe body maybe suitably padded.

By lengthening and shortening the flexible straps f the size of thebustle may be quickly adjusted to suit the wearer. The re'enforcingcoils 12 also form a convenient means for attaching the adjusting strapsand braces, pre venting their riding up on the wires, which would renderthe bustle very uncomfortable to the wearer.

What I claim as my invention is-- 1. As a new article of manufacture, abustle formed of convoluted spring-wire in vertical loops withre'enforcing coils in the angles of theloops,andtheflexible andadjustablestraps, scriatim, secured in the coils and connecting theloops, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a bustle formed of convolutedspring-wire in vertical loops with re-enforcing coils in the angles ofthe loops, the flexible and adjustable straps, seriatim, connecting theloops, the crossbuckle strap at the base of the hustle, and archedspring-Wire top braces, substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 6th day of December, 1887.

ALICE WHITE.

Witnesses:

J AS. WHITTEMORE, ADOLPH BARTHEL.

